The Willie Mullins trained Westerner Lady made a winning start to her chase career at Kilbeggan today, readily winning the www.kilbegganraces.com Beginners Chase under jockey Paul Townend.

Townend asked the daughter of Westerner to quicken after the second last fence and his response was immediate and the pair had comfortably taken the measure of Kilkishen when that rival fell at the final fence. At the line Westerner Lady held a 25 lengths advantage over runner-up Dallas Cowboy

Mullins was represented by his son Patrick Mullins who later stated “she's a smashing mare and that's a bumper, four hurdles and a chase win now.

“She's really come into her own this year and is a lot stronger. She's very relaxed and that's such an advantage over three miles. There is a great mares novice chase program and we'll try and take advantage of that.

“Paul was very good on her and got her round in one piece. He said she made a little mistake early on and it took a while to get her confidence but you don't mind that on their first run. She's not big but that's her trip and she's a real stayer.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson